If you’re heading to Planes, Trains and Autos… or are simply a fan of all things aviation, rail and motoring. Check out all the fun and exciting Planes, Trains and Autos themed experiences on offer throughout the City of Ipswich all year round. There’s hot air balloons, steam trains, race cars, motocross fun and much more… just waiting to be discovered.
V8 Race Experience
The V8 Race Experience puts you in the drivers’ seat with a professional driver in the passenger seat to give you tips as you take to the iconic paperclip track at Queensland Raceway. You can choose to drive in their new purpose built Mustang or Camaro or the legendary Falcon or Commodore. You can also book hot laps with a pro driver.
Floating Images
Rise before dawn to experience a magical hot air balloon ride with Floating Images Hot Air Ballon Flights. With 30 years ballooning experience, owner/chief pilot Graeme Day will be your guide through the skies over the Ipswich region. See the sunrise as you float majestically over the countryside dotted with a patchwork of fields, nature reserves and views to the Ipswich CBD and Brisbane skyline. After you come back down to earth, enjoy a gorgeous breakfast prepared by Fourthchild Cafe.
Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway
Enjoy a one-hour return train trip on heritage timber carriages with the Queensland Pioneer Steam Railway. Take in old coal mining sites, bushland and quaint miners’ cottages on your journey. The trains leave from the restored Swanbank train station which is steeped in history.
Grandchester Model Steam Railway
The Grandchester Model Steam Railway has model steam engines that you and the kids can ride on. You’ll see the train drivers busily stoking the coal, topping up water, releasing steam and blowing their whistles, ready to go on the green traffic light!
The trains run the first Sunday of the month from 10am – 2pm.
Queensland Museum Rail Workshops
Explore every facet of the state’s rail history – including a model railway of the Queensland network and grand restored locomotives. Queensland Museum Rail Workshops hosts fascinating touring exhibitions throughout the year and has an on-site café and gift shop where Thomas the Tank Engine merch features prominently.
Queensland Raceway
Queensland Raceway is an iconic paperclip race track that has hosted major events like the V8 Supercars in the past. The raceway is also home to two huge drifting carnivals, regular cruise sessions, roll racing, Queensland Racing Drivers’ Championships and Friday Night Drift.
Willowbank Raceway
Willowbank Raceway is home to Ipswich’s drag strip and hosts the biggest drag racing carnival outside of North America – the Winternationals. There are also regular music events held at the precinct and drag racing meets.
RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre
Explore aviation and military history at the RAAF Amberley Aviation Heritage Centre at RAAF Base Amberley.
Walk around and get up close to the F-111, a WWII Boston Bomber, Vietnam-era Canberra bomber, Caribou airlifter, Sioux and Iroquois helicopters and much more.
The centre is open every third Sunday of the month, except December – bookings are essential. For larger groups the centre can open on Thursdays and Thursdays between 9am and 3pm by prior arrangement.
Entry is free, but visitors must complete an entry form online to access the base at the time of booking.
Willowbank MX
Grab your bike and test out the seven professionally designed tracks for beginners all the way to advanced riders at Willowbank MX. The recreational ride park for motocross enthusiasts is open most days, but bookings are essential.
